As many in the media note their initial thoughts upon
arrival in Atlanta, those not writing about the heat are tackling
the issue of over-commercialism. A sampling:
In Orlando, Jerry Greene writes, "The new Olympic slogan
should be: 'Vendere, vendere, vendere' [sell, sell, sell]. ...
Anyone who dares travel to Atlanta this month probably will think
they have stumbled into a city-wide trade show" (ORLANDO
SENTINEL, 7/18). In DC, Tony Kornheiser writes, "I look forward
to the day when they drop all pretenses and replace the water in
the Olympic swimming pool with Sprite" (WASHINGTON POST, 7/18).
In Philadelphia, Bill Lyon writes, "The Games have become the
Games of Greed, with mercenary avarice" (PHILA. INQUIRER, 7/18).
In Baltimore, Mike Littwin writes, "Olympic sponsors are the
Olympics, the very essence of the Olympics. Just ask them"
(Baltimore SUN, 7/18). Author Pete Hamill, covering the Olympics
on MSNBC's Web site, offers a candidate to replace Juan Antonio
Samaranch when he steps down as IOC President, someone "who
epitomizes the standards and ethics of the new Olympic ideal" --
Don King (MSNBC). In S.F., John Crumpacker writes, "Make no
mistake -- the centerpiece of the Atlanta Olympic Games is all
about business" (S.F. EXAMINER, 7/17). In Miami, Linda Robertson
writes, "When the [IOC] chose Atlanta over Athens ... it chose
capitalism over charm, garish Americana over Greek history.
Welcome to the Wal-Mart Olympics" (MIAMI HERALD, 7/18). In
Hartford, Jeff Jacobs writes, "This is the greatest manifestation
of Western capitalism in history" (HARTFORD COURANT, 7/18). One
observer called it "halfway between a Southern country fair and
Epcot" (Eric Harrison, L.A. TIMES, 7/18).
